In the Center of God’s Love

March 30, 2017

March 30, 2017

Today in HistoryOn this day in 1870 – Following its ratification by the requisite three-fourths of the states, the 15th Amendment, granting African-American men the right to vote, is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Passed by Congress the year before, the amendment reads, “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” One day after it was adopted, Thomas Peterson-Mundy of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, became the first African American to vote under the authority of the 15th Amendment.

Today in the Word
Jude 20-21 MESSAGEBut you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

Today’s Reflection
Prayer is a gift from God empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and this intercession goes beyond our words (Romans 8:26-27). Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, gives us access to God (Ephesians 2:18). The Spirit of God within us joins with our spirit and testifies that we are God’s children so we can approach him as our “Abba Father” (Romans 8:14-17). Thus, we can come to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe at any time and know we are valued and heard. So if we want to stay in the “center of God’s love,” we must take advantage of this grace of prayer — intentionally coming into the presence of God, entreating the Holy Spirit to intercede for us and carry us along in our moments of prayer as we speak to God, spirit to Spirit (Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16). Praying in the Spirit is to center ourselves in the grace and love of God. We, as his dearly loved children, come to him in dependent trust and confident hope, knowing that we are heard because of the gift of his Spirit within us.

Today’s Prayer
Father, almighty God and Creator, the sovereign Lord, thank you for inviting me to come to you and call you my Abba Father. As the Spirit intercedes for me, conveying my thoughts and yearnings as well as my words, I ask for your help and guidance so I will live for you and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.